Julie A. Champion
Assistant Professor
Contact Information
Building: Ford ES&T
Office:
L1236
Phone:404.894.2874
Fax: 404.894.2866
email
Mailing Address
Georgia Institute of Technology
School of Chemical &
Biomolecular Engineering
311 Ferst Drive, N.W.
Atlanta, GA 30332-0100
Links
Julie A. Champion
Education
B.S.E 2001, University of Michigan
Ph.D. 2007, University of California, Santa Barbara
Research Interests
Dr. Champion’s research interests are positioned at the interface of engineering, materials science, biology and medicine. Specifically, the focus is on creating nanoscale materials that elicit desired cell behavior via specific molecular interactions, leading to therapeutic effects in tissues and organisms. A number of biological applications have been identified for nanomaterials since the nano-scale defines the interfaces between cells, biological molecules and material surfaces. However, the creation of such materials is progressing faster than their interactions with biological systems can be understood. One of the primary aims of the research program is the development of fundamental understanding of nanomaterial interactions with biological systems on all length scales, molecular, cellular, tissue and organism. This insight will facilitate engineering of novel bio-nanomaterials with therapeutic capabilities to halt or reverse disease progression and promote the body’s healing response.
The Champion lab is creating of nanoscale biomaterials made from functional proteins that have the ability to interact either directly with cells or indirectly on the extracellular environment to elicit a therapeutic response. Proteins are used as material building blocks since they can be manipulated to provide both biological interactions as well as desired chemical and physical properties. By integrating these materials with drug delivery techniques we hope to produce new treatments and even cures for critical human diseases. Disease applications include breast cancer, chronic inflammation, spinal cord injury and combat injuries.